Category: Video

Thankful Thursday

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Video3 Comments

Two words in this scripture jumped right out at me this morning during my devotional and I am sure you can guess what they are.

First is that word ALWAYS. I am fairly sure that I know what always means, but I took time to look it up online. According to Merriam-Webster , always means: at all times, forever and in any event. Now, let’s think together about these definitions. At all times means in good times, bad times, regular times, so-so times, when you feel well, when you don’t feel well and whether you feel like it or not. Forever is just what it says: for every moment, for every day, from now until you take your last earthly breath and enter eternity to praise God. And “in any event” means to me that no matter the circumstances or what is happening to us or around us.

The second word that jumped out at me is EVERYTHING. Back to Merriam-Webster for another definition. “Everything” means: all that exists and all that is important. What exists in my life may not be what exists in your life, but whatever exists is part of everything for that individual. And, of course, what is important to me may not be important to you in any way, but we both have things in our lives that are important.

So, we are to at all times give thanks to God the Father for all that exists and all that is important in our lives. I am not seeing a “when we feel like it” or “when all is going the way we want it to” in this verse, are you?

As you thank God today for all things, remember that the good and the bad and the ugly are things, too. They exist and they impact your life. I am not saying, and I don’t think that the verse is either, that you thank God for being ill or for tragedies that occur. You are thanking God that He is with you during the bad things that happen and that you are not alone and forsaken ever. God knows our hearts and knows when we are unhappy about our circumstances, but we can always thank Him for taking us through the difficulties or challenges we face and not just leaving us there. I generally add to my prayers for God to help me learn from the hard things so that I can then help others in similar situations. I also pray that I can continue to shed His light even when I feel as though I am surrounded by darkness.

I hope today’s post resonated with you. I will close with my Thankful Thursday List (or the start of it) and a song for you.

Note that this is a short list of the many, many things I am thankful for. It’s a beginning of my thankful journey for the day.

Give Thanks-Don Moen

Near to God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, Video8 Comments

I have been pressing into God lately, mostly because of life changes but also because I want a closer relationship with Him. I have had some physical challenges lately that have let me know that I need to depend on God or I just won’t make it through all of this.

This scripture is comforting to me…He is already near me when I call. He is not a distant God that I have to yell to be heard. He is right there all the time whenever I want to talk to Him.

Talking to God is like second nature to me. The doctor says my spine might collapse so I can’t lift over five pounds. I talked to God. The same doctor says that I have a better than average chance of breaking my hip in the next year, especially if I fall. So, before I get up to walk around, I talk to God and ask Him to keep me upright and stable. My neurologist is sending me to a neurosurgeon because he says that I need spine surgery. You better believe I am talking to God about this one! In fact, I think God and I have a constant conversation going and instead of this being odd or new, it is actually commonplace. I used to talk to Him a lot about our children and their needs and my problems disciplining them. They are all grown, and now I am older, so most of my conversations deal with medical issues that God knows about but that I need to address the issue to the only One who can truly help me persevere.

I hope and pray that you have daily conversations with God, all day long, just as if your best friend were there in the room with you. He is God and He is to be adored and praised and lifted up. But He is also the friend who is close by and also available when I call out to Him for wisdom, relief from pain or safety as I walk from room to room. I really enjoy talking to God because I can be honest with Him and tell Him anything, including that I am unhappy with the situation, even as I ask Him for His grace to get through it. Tell God what you’re thinking and then step out of His way so He can work in your life. He is as close as your next breath and He desires to bless you and to let you know how much He loves you.

Draw Near to God-Russ Taft and Leigh Nash

Sunday Worship

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, Video2 Comments

Today is Palm Sunday, the day the crowds welcomed Jesus with all kinds of accolades before they then joined the mob that called for His crucifixion. Before you start thinking what awful people those were, I would like to remind you that we were part of that crowd and then the mob. We might not have been there physically, but can you honestly say that if you had lived during that time, you would have reacted differently? The tendency is to follow the crowd. That’s one of the reasons the Bible admonishes us to be careful with whom we associate.

That all being said, I love the traditions of Palm Sunday and the fact that all of the praise goes to the Lord, who is indeed worthy and should have never fallen out of favor with the Pharisees who were supposed to recognize the Messiah. Since Jesus’s death was prophesied and orchestrated by God, and since each of us benefit from the salvation that comes from the flowing of His life’s blood, we can do no less than offer Him a sacrifice of praise.

We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise-Maranatha! Music

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus-Dust and Grace

To God Be the Glory-Faithful Worship

Have a blessed Palm Sunday, filled with thanksgiving and praise for all the Lord has done!

Sunday Hymn: Onward, Christian Soldiers

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Hymn, Scripture, Song, Video6 Comments

The Baptist Hymnal No. 493

1. Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banner go!
(Refrain)

2. At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
(Refrain)

3. Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided;
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
(Refrain)

4. Onward then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ the King;
This thro’ countless ages
Men and angels sing.
(Refrain)

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!

Onward Christian Soldiers-Joslin Grove Choral Society

This image goes along with my post yesterday about preparing for each new day with the armor of God. Today, God reminded me of a hymn to spur us on as we go into battle, so I thought a visual of the armor would be appropriate here.

Saturday Sounds

On By vickleaIn praise, Song, Video2 Comments

What sounds are in your life right now? For me, it’s the washing machine, the dryer, my husband flipping pages of his notebook as he pays bills. And me hitting the keys on the keyboard. The sounds I want to hear are praise, so that’s what I will share as I surround myself with the comforting presence of the Lord.

Holy Forever-Chris Tomlin

Goodness of God-Bethel Music

10,000 Reasons-Matt Redman

Here I Am to Worship-Maranatha Music

Give Thanks-Into the Light

My Jesus, My Saviour-Light Generation

Above All-Michael W. Smith

So, as you travel down life’s road today, what sounds are you hearing? What are you listening to? Share in the comments and let me know the praise songs you listen to or sing as you start the day. Every day has its challenges, but every day is always better when you start with praise.

A Favorite Hymn

On By vickleaIn Song, testimony, Video6 Comments

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Link to the hymn on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/yKP_XxCBDZY

Lyrics:

1 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

—

2 Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

—

3 Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.

—

4 A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

—

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op’ning day.

—

6 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home!

My Musings

I was raised in a traditional church, although I did not attend regularly. But hymns were a regular part of every Sunday when I did attend, and I learned to listen to the words as I sang them. Now that I am a Christian, I have found that the words of the old hymns continue to speak to my heart of a faithful God who is eternal and unchanging. The world may change; the standards all around us may change. But God will never change, so we can count on Him to fulfill His promises and to take us to be with Him one day.

A Personal Note:

I am spending the weekend with our son and his family at a water park in Williamsburg, Virginia. This trip was planned several months ago and we all have been excited about spending time together in a relaxing environment. Unfortunately, on the Friday before our trip, I had to go to the ER because of awful pain in my left foot. After x-rays and an examination, the doctor said that he thinks it is just badly sprained but it may have a hairline fracture. So, later this month, I have to see the orthopedic specialist. Meanwhile, I am in an ortho shoe for support and using pain patches. I cannot get in the water with the rest of my family, but I am enjoying seeing their exuberance and excitement here. So, no worries because God is good all the time and I know and believe it even when my plans don’t work out as I expected!

Have a blessed Sunday!